Okay #Hearties, sorry for the long wait but I'm taking a summer class so I haven't had as much time to write, as well as I am also working on my Lie to Me story. So enjoy this next chapter! Please read and review. Thanks to all who have done so so far.
When everyone arrived at Cat's house, the kids went up to their rooms so they would be out of the adults' way. The women hung up their shawls while Jack hung up his hat and Cat made her way over to the stove.
"We'll be having stew and biscuits if that's okay with everyone," said Cat.
Everyone nodded, "Of course, as long as Elizabeth doesn't have to do the cooking," chuckled Jack.
"JACK!" Elizabeth shouted embarrassed while Cat and Abigail chuckled at her expense.
"Don't worry Elizabeth; I was not the best cook either. Only once I got married and had children did I improve," said Cat.
Elizabeth nodded, "Abigail has been trying to teach me, but I just can't seem to get the hang of it."
"You will one day, Elizabeth. One day when you have a family, or even sooner as soon as Cat and I get done teaching you," said Abigail, "I'm sure in Toronto it was a lot different."
"Oh yes," Elizabeth agreed, "My sister, Julie, is shocked that I've made it this long out here."
"This town does have the tendency to grow on you," said Cat though she knew the reason Elizabeth was still in town was a certain Mountie.
"Um, Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. Montgomery would you like any help with lunch?" asked Jack.
Cat thought about it and said, "If you'd like to set the table, I'll let it go with the kids for on time." Jack nodded and joined Elizabeth as she handed him a bunch of plates. "Kids! Wash up for lunch!" Cat called to her children as she sat the stew down on the table and wiped her hands on a rag. Abigail brought the biscuits and sat them down on the table as well. Gabe, Miles, and Emily joined the adults and everyone said grace before Cat started serving the meals.
"So, Mountie Jack, when does construction for the new school and church begin?" asked Gabe.
"I don't know yet. Probably within the next month or so but…" started Jack but was interrupted by Elizabeth coughing. Everyone at the table looked at her worriedly.
"Just a tickle in my throat. No big deal," informed Elizabeth. Everyone nodded and went back to their meals.
"Will we be in the new schoolhouse before the school year is out?" asked Emily excitedly.
"Probably not Emily. It will take a while to build and besides, you only have a month or two left of school this year," said Jack.
"Oh," she sighed disappointedly.
"Don't worry Emily," said Elizabeth before she went into another coughing fit. She cleared her throat before she said, "You'll be in the new schoolhouse in no time."
"Are you sure you're okay Ms. Thatcher?" asked Gabe.
Elizabeth nodded and said, "Yes, just a tickle I can't seem to get rid of in my throat."
"As long as you're okay," said Abigail. After lunch, Abigail, Jack, and Elizabeth said their goodbyes and left Cat's house. Jack and Elizabeth decided to take a walk while Abigail went back home. They headed to one of the meadows hand in hand.
"Lovely spring day," commented Jack.
Elizabeth nodded but was unable to answer due to another coughing spell. When she regained the ability to speak, she said, "It has been nice weather but I think the pollen from the flowers is making it hard for me to breathe."
Jack nodded understandingly, "Springtime can do that to some people." He leaned her in closer and kissed her forehead. He leaned back slowly and said, "You sure it's just the flowers Elizabeth? You feel a little warm."
"Jack, I'm fine, it is a tad hot out," she answered, "But maybe I'll go home and make some tea just to be safe." She coughed a couple times more.
"Okay," Jack said feeling a little better. They continued to walk before Jack spoke up again, "Elizabeth?"
"Yeah?" she asked turning to him.
"Have you ever been in love before?" he asked.
Elizabeth stopped suddenly and thought about it, "No, not that I can think of. I mean, you're the first man I've kissed other than my father."
"Really?" he asked surprisingly, "I'm your first kiss?"
"Why does that shock you so much?" she chuckled.
"I don't know," he said, "You're just so beautiful I thought you'd have courted other men."
"Nope, you're the first," she giggled, "The first person I court is an annoying Mountie."
"Hey, I shouldn't be annoying to you anymore," he joked attempting to kiss her only for her to pull back.
"If you want to kiss me, you have to catch me!" she shouted.
Jack shook his head and ran after Elizabeth, feeling like he was a little kid again. Of course with his longer stride, he caught up to her in no time and grabbed her arm, "Got you!"
Elizabeth chuckled turning around to face him but immediately started coughing again. When she regained her breath, she pecked Jack on the lips.
"Elizabeth, I think it might be best if I take you home," said Jack.
Elizabeth nodded, "Okay, I feel a little short of breath anyways. Must be all that running."
Jack took her hand again and they made their way back to the café. When they arrived, Jack kissed Elizabeth's temple and said, "Get some rest tonight."
"Okay," Elizabeth nodded. She turned to go inside.
"Elizabeth?" Jack said.
"Yeah?" she asked turning back around.
"I, I..." he stuttered.
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, "Problems," she chuckled and coughed a little.
"I love you Elizabeth," said Jack as fast as he could. He braced himself for an awkward reaction.
Elizabeth took a deep breath and started to head inside. Jack looked down disappointedly and walked towards the jail. "Jack?" Elizabeth said. He looked back over to her. She smiled and said, "I love you too."